Starflight
Emulation Item Preview
Share or Embed This Item
- Publication date
- 1986
Also For
Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Genesis, Macintosh, Windows
Developed by
Binary Systems
Published by
Electronic Arts, Inc.
Released
Aug 15, 1986
Genre
Role-Playing (RPG), Simulation
Pacing
Real-Time
Perspective
Top-down
Vehicular
Space Flight
Setting
Sci-Fi / Futuristic
Description
A long time ago, a great empire comprised of Humans, Velox, Thrynn and Elowan ruled the stars. The Empire's currency was an energy source called Endurium. But something happened and this empire is no more. Furthermore, the small colony world named Arth has forgotten this heritage and technology. A thousand years have since passed and the people of Arth have rediscovered archaeological evidence of their empire. Using these discoveries, they create spaceships and form the Interstel corporation to govern the fleet. It's time to take the first steps back into space... but could it be the same enemy that destroyed the Empire still exists?
Starflight is a space exploration game with role-playing elements. The game is completely non-linear, allowing the player to venture to any star system and explore any of the vast amount of available planets. The main plot is advanced by following cryptic clues either received as transmissions at the initial spaceport, or obtained as a result of successful communication with various alien races populating the universe.
The player must first form a crew, assign their positions and customize the spaceship before blasting off from spacedock. Besides the captain of the ship, a science officer, a navigator, an engineer, a communicator, and a doctor have to be assigned to the ship. The player can choose between Humans, Velox, Thrynn, Elowan, and Android races when creating the characters. Each profession usually has a racial counterpart with the highest proficiency in it. Except Androids, members of every race can be trained in their skills by spending the game's currency. In the starting location the player can also acquire better weapons, armor, and shields for the ship, as well as outfit it with cargo pods. Terrain vehicle can be customized as well.
Once out into space, the standard interface allows access to different crew members and navigation. The entire galaxy is unknown and it's up to the player to travel to distant planets to explore and land on them. Planets may be inhospitable, with harsh weather conditions and various terrain types. Using a top-down interface, a planetary lander will venture out with the task of finding minerals and biological data to transport back to Starport. These resources can be sold for MU, the game's currency.
Different alien races control the galaxy and it will be up to the player to approach them diplomatically or face them in combat. Depending on the communicator's skill, the player may conduct successful conversations by assuming different postures, requesting information, or answering questions posed by the aliens. Each race has a different attitude and requires different approaches to peacefully end the negotiations. If all else fails, or if the player so wishes, the player-controlled ship may engage the aliens in combat, which is presented as overhead arcade action sequences. Successful exploration of the galaxy and alien cultures will yield clues and new leads as to the fate of the Empire.
The Amiga version adds an auto-mining command. The Genesis version has updated graphics and sound, and is different in several aspects: locations of minerals and artifacts are different; there are new weapons for the ship and upgrades for the terrain vehicle; landing on planets is no longer automatic and must be controlled manually to avoid crashing; terrain vehicle exploration is more realistic, with visible weather conditions and various terrain types slowing down the vehicle.
From Mobygames.com. Original Entry
- Access-restricted-item
- true
- Addeddate
- 2014-12-22 08:48:37
- Emulator
- dosbox
- Emulator_ext
- zip
- Emulator_start
- starfly/STARFLT.COM
- Identifier
- msdos_Starflight_1986
- Mobygames_also_for
- Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Genesis, Macintosh, Windows
- Mobygames_developed_by
- Binary Systems
- Mobygames_genre
- Role-Playing (RPG), Simulation
- Mobygames_pacing
- Real-Time
- Mobygames_perspective
- Top-down
- Mobygames_published_by
- Electronic Arts, Inc.
- Mobygames_released
- Aug 15, 1986
- Mobygames_setting
- Sci-Fi / Futuristic
- Mobygames_vehicular
- Space Flight
- Scanner
- Internet Archive Python library 0.7.5
- Year
- 1986
comment
Reviews
Subject: Code Wheel
Subject: For codes go here
http://www.starflt.com/tables/index.php/starflight1/starport-codes/
Subject: Code Wheel?
Subject: Best DOS game ever!
While digging through my stuff to find all the Starflight game notes I had, I came across my original box to Starflight 2: Trade Routes of the Cloud Nebula. Containing all the original products. Anyone know who I could give a copy of this to for them to upload it to this site?
This has always been my favorite computer game of all time. To this day, I have not been able to find one as compelling and fun as this. Exploring planets, life forms, interacting with aliens, training and hiring a crew, trading and earning money to upgrade your ship to wreck havoc on Gazertoids. Best ever!
I played this game when it first came out in the mid 80's and still have all the original products to include the the star map with all the "flux's" hand drawn on it and the code wheel along with the 5.25" floppy discs! If their was only someway to smooth the graphics texture. It is almost too difficult to play in its original graphics form.
I heard rumors of a possible Starflight III in the works, but I know nothing more than it to be rumors.
Subject: Good Game
I don't believe that you can save with the online version, since there really isn't a good save mechanism with this game.
You can find the codes needed to launch on this website. http://www.starflt.com/tables/index.php/starflight1/starport-codes/ so at least it is playable.
It's also available for purchase from GOG if you want to to play it and have some ability to save progress. Unless you're following a guide, I don't think it's possible to complete this game in one sitting.
Subject: Resources
Here is a source for the wheel codes. Just print them out. It's a lot easier than the old wheel, because you can actually see them.
This is one of my favorite games, EVER. I made it to the end, and didn't sleep for a week - I was so shocked and sad about the truth of the universe. The only other feeling that I've ever had that is similar is when Vader stretched out his hand and said, "No. I am your father."
Play - but it is very addictive.
Subject: Code Wheel
Haven't verified if this works
Subject: great game - if you can play it
Subject: Code wheel? Save games?
However, to actually play this game on the website, one would need to be able to save the game somehow, yes? And one would need the code wheel? Has anyone figured this out?
14,411 Views
80 Favorites
IN COLLECTIONS
Software Library: MS-DOS Games stream_only The Software Library: MS-DOS Software Library The Emulation StationUploaded by Software Library on